Garages and workshops are being warned that one-in-five cars on UK roads are expected to use electrified powertrains by 2025.
Automotive aftermarket intelligence company GiPA has made the prediction using its car parc forecast tool and is urging aftersales businesses to ensure they are prepared to deal with a larger volume of electrified cars. GiPA UK has produced two car parc scenarios and has forecast that electrified vehicles will represent between 19% and 21% of the UK passenger car parc by 2025. These include mild hybrid, hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, many of which use similar high-voltage components to fully electric models.
Quentin Le Hetet, GiPA UK director, said: “It is becoming essential for aftermarket players of all kinds to integrate electrified vehicles into their medium to long term business plans.
“They need to understand how this will affect them, and what their response should be to this new segment in terms of equipment, staff, and training.
“It’s equally important for them to remember that traditional ICE cars will continue to be a significant part of the market after 2030.”
The growth in volume of hybrids and electric car sales has been accelerating in 2020, and the UK government roadmap published last month lays out the target for the ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) ban by 2030. While new car sales and the governments goals are aligned, GiPA says it it’s crucial for aftermarket players to understand the true pace of this transition to plan and implement their future strategy.
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) is calling for urgent funding and a national workforce development strategy from the Government if there are to be enough trained technicians to support a 2030 ban on new diesel, petrol and hybrid vehicles. The IMI said just 5% of current garages and dealerships are appropriately qualified to work on electric vehicles (EVs).